Chapter 496: Sweeping Like a Gale
The Rationale for Chaos
"How should I know what he wants?"
Qi Jianqiu raised his voice, sounding quite resentful. "He's a billionaire—why mess with conspiracies? If he wants something, he should just ask for it. At most, it's a simple exchange of interests, right? With the resources he controls, what can he not get his hands on?"
This thought was like a sudden realization. Dai Yunkai instantly cleared his head.
"You're right! Why is he wasting time in the ancient martial arts world?"
He seemed to be answering his own question, then continued, "Luke Shaw is an extremely goal-oriented person. Since he's aimed at the martial arts world, the thing he wants is most likely martial arts-related."
"Jianqiu, what is it that we can't or won't give him?"
"That list is too long: land, population, judicial authority."
"Martial arts-related," Dai Yunkai pressed.
Qi Jianqiu pondered for a moment, then said uncertainly, "That would be martial arts techniques. But he has powered armor; he doesn't need to practice martial arts. Even if he did, he could just pay for it. You know what those people in the martial arts world are like."
Dai Yunkai looked thoughtful. His friend's words made sense, but he trusted his own deduction. The only reason he hadn't reached a conclusion was that the opponent had revealed too little. If this continues, he would figure out Luke's intentions eventually.
"I don't think we can just sit around and wait."
Qi Jianqiu said again, "That kid thinks he's the best in the world and is playing us for fools. You might tolerate it, but I can't stand it. We have to teach him a lesson."
"What do you plan to do?"
"Start with Qin Yunchuan."
Dai Yunkai shook his head, disagreeing with the suggestion.
"Qin Yunchuan adamantly denies any relationship with Luke Shaw. The person involved won't talk, so the matter won't gain traction."
Qi Jianqiu couldn't help but say,
"With such an outstanding son and hundreds of billions in assets, how can he hold back?"
"The key to recognizing the son isn't with him, but with Luke Shaw and Old Man Shaw's attitude. There are things you don't know. Qin Yunchuan was nearly beaten to death by people sent by Old Man Shaw back then. He hasn't been to the US since."
"There's history like that?"
Qi Jianqiu was genuinely surprised, never imagining such a connection existed.
Dai Yunkai continued,
"Qin Yunchuan isn't stupid. He clearly understands his situation. Forcefully trying to claim the relationship would not only invite resentment but also bring endless trouble to his family. Changlin Shaw is not a good person. If you anger him, none of that family will survive."
Qi Jianqiu was instantly silenced, left without an immediate plan.
The Mad Beast's Tour
To prevent their businesses from suffering losses, the ancient martial arts world desperately tried to contain the news of the "hall challenges." Unfortunately, paper ultimately can't wrap fire.
As the story was dug into, Luke Shaw's name surfaced, then spread at an unbelievable speed.
Hall challenges were supposed to be the stuff of novels and movies. The fact that the boy named Zhang Jiu had, in half a month, taken down the name plaques of several sects and destroyed large amounts of property was genuinely infuriating.
Yet, the reality was the opposite. The public, who should have united against the external threat, turned their guns on the ancient martial arts world, which was seen as pretentious yet secretly vile and corrupt. As one scandal after another was exposed, the martial world's reputation plummeted, turning them into targets of public scorn.
Some young people even organized support teams, vigorously backing Zhang Jiu's hall challenges.
He became famous, known to every household, his identity and origin completely revealed. In contrast, Luke became less conspicuous, his name gradually marginalized. This was an expected outcome.
Outside the Xingyi Gate, looking at the men and women holding signs and cheering, Luke quipped,
"Jiu, look, they're all your fans."
Fans?
"Oh!"
The boy nodded obediently and left the car with two staff members. His appearance immediately triggered a wave of cheers.
Jiu wasn't used to this kind of attention. He quickly walked towards the mountain gate with the bodyguards.
Since the challenges began, Luke rarely showed himself, leaving the coordination to his subordinates. He only provided remote monitoring. To be honest, with Jiu's current strength, none of these sects were a match for him.
This time was no exception. In just forty minutes, Jiu returned, the name plaque on his shoulder, his expression as wooden as when he left.
Reporters, like sharks smelling blood, frantically took pictures. One reporter even broke through the bodyguards, thrusting a microphone toward Jiu's mouth. Unfortunately, before he could speak, he was pushed away.
Jiu strictly followed Luke's instructions: no matter what happened around him, he was to remain silent and ignore them. He tossed the plaque onto the truck behind, got into the car, and left.
The wheels started turning, heading for the next destination.
"Which one is this?"
"Seventeenth."
Someone gasped. "That Zhang Jiu is insane. Is he truly going to offend every single sect?"
"It seems very likely right now."
"The ancient martial arts world is utterly humiliated. Sects with hundreds of years of heritage are being beaten down by a fifteen-year-old boy. Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk!"
A voice of schadenfreude rose from the crowd.
"I think this is great," an older reporter said coldly. "Decades ago, those martial artists could still showcase the charm of ancient martial arts on the world stage. Now, they openly recruit students but secretly grab land and do business, engaging in all sorts of unethical activities. Look at those disciples—they're all fat and robust. Where is the martial artist's demeanor?"
"The morals of the world are decaying, and people's hearts are no longer what they were!"
The Grand Design
The storm had fully formed and was beginning to show its power.
Faced with Zhang Jiu's challenge letters, everyone in the martial arts world felt threatened. Some resentful individuals even secretly took action, attempting poisoning, ambushes, and even using modern firearms. Unfortunately, nothing they did could stop Luke's progress.
The plaques on the truck piled higher and higher. A feeling of despair began to spread. Some sects even closed their doors to avoid the fight, preferring to be called cowards rather than accept the challenge.
Seeing the reactions of these people, Linda felt nothing but disappointment.
"Master said the most important thing in martial arts is the spirit. Once the spirit is gone, the person is gone."
"Although Jiu was enhanced, his attack methods are simple. If they could control the rhythm, an ordinary person could injure, or even defeat him. Why don't those martial artists understand that?"
The girl sighed deeply. Because of Lingxu Zi, she held a great fondness for ancient martial arts. Unfortunately, in just five days, that accumulated goodwill had vanished.
Luke spoke up,
"Don't look at modern people with the eyes of the past. Times change, and people change with them. The sects you see are essentially companies. Making money is the real business; martial arts is just a facade. In the local dialect, it's called 'hanging a sheep's head and selling dog meat.'"
"Are there no true masters, then?"
"Of course there are."
Luke smiled. "Once these 'companies' are defeated, the true masters will emerge. It'll definitely get lively then."
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